The Top 10 E-Commerce Shopping Carts

Introduction

If you want to see success with your e-commerce site, you need more than a great layout, quality products, and low prices. A streamlined shopping experience is a must. And the online shopping cart that you use can make or break the experience for those customers who visit your online store.

Consider the fact that nearly 70% of people who put items in an online cart will go on to abandon that cart before checking out. Now, some of these people were merely window-shopping and never really intended on making a purchase. But surely that doesn’t describe all 70%, does it? No, it doesn’t. In fact, there are a number of reasons that people abandon online shopping carts before checking out. And many of these issues can easily be addressed by choosing the best e-commerce shopping cart.

Let me give you a quick example before we get to our list. Twenty percent of people who abandoned their online shopping cart before checking out did so because the cart/website had errors or crashed. These people wanted a product and were willing to pay. In fact, they probably had their wallets out and were ready to type in their credit card number… maybe they already had typed in their credit card number. The sale was final! But then, the cart malfunctioned that sale was lost.

Just imagine how much money you could lose over the course of a year if you lost just one sale per day because of a checkout error! And all because of a poor choice in e-commerce shopping carts.

Don’t allow your e-commerce site to falter because of one bad choice. Instead, check out this list of the top ten e-commerce shopping carts and make an educated decision that will leave your business better off.

10. ShopSite

ShopSite is a versatile online shopping cart solution that you can use with a variety of different hosting services. ShopSite works with Wordpress but it also can be used with GoDaddy websites, Bluehost sites, and more. If you already have a site built and only need a shopping cart, ShopSite may be what you’re looking for.

ShopSite runs from $5.99 per month to $69.99 per month depending on which features you want, how many products you want to sell, and how many pages your website will have in total. Most of the features that you could want out of a shopping cart are included, such as social media and newsletter integration, multiple product options, customer reviews and PCI compliance. ShopSite makes it easy to get a shopping cart running on your page.

The biggest drawback to ShopSite is the fact that it requires you to have a website already built. You’ll have to use another service to create your site, and then add your store via ShopSite. This could hinder ShopSite’s value for you if you’re unsure of how to do this. If you’re looking for an all-in-one service, ShopSite is probably not the option that you’re looking for.

Verdict

If all you want is an online shopping cart to add to your business’s webpage, ShopSite might be the perfect fit. If you’re looking for a more robust solution, look elsewhere.

9. WooCommerce

Rather than being a comprehensive website development tool and online shopping cart like most of the services on this list, WooCommerce is a plugin for the popular CMS, Wordpress. Over the past few years, Wordpress has become one of the most popular ways to build a website – whether it’s a blog or an online store – because of its incredible versatility, number of templates, and huge store full of plugins (both free and paid). It doesn’t hurt that Wordpress costs absolutely nothing.

Unfortunately, what Wordpress gains by being free, it loses by the fact that it’s much more complicated than many of the paid services on this list. Rather than being drag-and-drop, Wordpress requires HTML and CSS knowledge to really get the most out of it. It’s not nearly as easy to customize as some of other services here. Though if you know what you’re doing (or can hire someone who does), you can make it do pretty much anything you want it to.

So what about WooCommerce? Like Wordpress, WooCommerce is free and open-source. It’s a plugin that you can add to your Wordpress site to transform your mundane webpage into a full-fledged online store. And since it’s open-source, hundreds of other plugins have been created to work with it. You can do most anything with it that you would want. And if you can’t do it with WooCommerce’s native functions, you can probably find another plugin that will do it.

The main problem with WooCommerce (and Wordpress more generally) is its steep learning curve. If you aren’t tech-savvy, you’re almost certainly going to have to find someone who will help you set your site and store up. It’s also a more piecemeal way of doing things. Rather than having one service that does everything, with Wordpress you’ll have to download dozens of plugins and fine-tune each one. This can be time-consuming and confusing if it’s not something you’re familiar with.

Verdict

WooCommerce is a great option if you want a free option or you already have a Wordpress site developed and don’t mind putting some extra time into getting your store up-and-running. If you aren’t a tech-savvy person, either stay away or hire someone who is and can teach you the ropes.

8. Shopify

Like many of the options on this list, Shopify is an all-in-one, hosted service that allows you to build an online store and start selling your products without any knowledge of HTML, CSS, or Javascript. You won’t need to know the ins-and-outs of setting up a payment gateway or developing a database. Instead, Shopify allows you to choose a template to build your site around. This is one of Shopify’s primary weaknesses. There are only 10 free templates to choose from. In addition to this, you can access 53 other themes but they will cost you between $140 and $180.

Once you’ve got the framework of your site up via a theme, you can begin building your store by filling it with products, editing shipping and tax information, and using the onboard SEO options. You can do all of this through easy-to-use menus and an intuitive interface. Shopify includes a number of other features, including multiple payment gateways, the ability to sell via your Facebook page, and more.

The one thing that really sets Shopify off from its competitors is the ability to sell items in person via a tablet or phone and a Bluetooth card reader. If you sell online as well as in-person, this could potentially be enough of a reason to go with Shopify over other options.

One of the drawbacks with Shopify is the fact that a number of features that you might expect to come along with the package must be installed via additional apps. This is an inconvenience and something that should be happening in 2018.

There are three primary plans that you can purchase with Shopify. They range in cost from $29 to $299 with both the features and the fees scaling according to the price. This allows you to begin at a lower cost when you’re just starting out and slowly moving to higher levels depending on how your business is going.

Verdict

If you want the ability to make sales in person as well as online, Shopify is a great option that will keep everything in one place. With that said, it’s neither the cheapest nor the most intuitive option.

7. 3dcart

3dcart is a comprehensive, do-it-yourself e-commerce development platform that includes a robust and versatile online shopping cart. Like a number of other services on this list, 3dcart gives you the ability to create a website, customize it, and sell your products or services with minimal effort. But that lack of effort doesn’t mean there is a lack of ability or features. On the contrary, 3dcart includes most of the features that you’d expect – or would want – from an e-commerce platform.

When you begin with 3dcart, you’re given the option of many different templates. Once you’ve chosen a template that suits your business, you can fine-tune it through an easy-to-use editor that gives you control over most everything about your store. In addition, 3dcart gives you a wide range of payment gateways to utilize and there is a very strong support system if you have any questions or problems.

On the other hand, 3dcart isn’t the most intuitive service to use. Its learning curve is a little more steep than some of the other services on this list so if you aren’t exactly tech-savvy, this may not be your best option. In addition to this, 3dcart requires you to pay for certain features separately as add-ons and that’s in addition to whatever package you choose. Thankfully, most of the packages aren’t outrageously priced. The bare-bones package is $19.99 per month while the most expensive is $129.99. Three other packages can be subscribed to that fall somewhere in the middle of those two extremes. It’s worth noting at this point that one of the big limitations to the $19.99 package is the fact that it limits your site to a measly 130 daily visitors. If you’re hoping to grow, you won’t be able to stay at that package level for very long.

Verdict

3dcart has a number of important features; however, its limitations may not justify the price tag – depending on what exactly you’re wanting out of an e-commerce suite.

6. Weebly

Along with Wix, Weebly is one of the best-known do-it-yourself web design services out there. When you subscribe, you get access to a number of templates that you can customize in order to get just the right look for your site. What may be less well-known is Weebly’s e-commerce services, including their online shopping cart.

Weebly’s shopping cart is fully integrated with Weebly’s design environment which means that you won’t need any additional skills to get started selling your products online. Once you’ve got your site built, it’s just a matter of populating the database with your products. The frontend is streamlined and allows your customers to quickly and easily make purchases with very little hassle. On the backend, you’re given lots of options regarding just about every aspect of your online store. You can track purchases, manage your store on the go, and customize the way that all of your products appear.

Weebly’s shopping cart includes coupon and discount options, automated e-mails, and a wide variety of payment options for your customers. Depending on which features you need, you can get a Weebly package starting at a mere $8 per month. If you need everything that Weebly offers, it will run you $38 per month. Compared to many of the higher-end services, even Weebly’s most expensive service is cheap. The main drawback is that it’s not quite as feature-rich as some of the other stores on the list like Goshly or BigCommerce.

Verdict

Weebly is an affordable option if you’re looking for a way to build an online store quickly. And for the price, it’s surprisingly versatile.

5. Wix Stores

Wix is well-known as an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop web development tool. What may be less well-known is the fact that Wix has an add-on called Wix Stores that allows you to turn your static websites into digital marketplaces. Fortunately, Wix Stores is just as easy-to-use and intuitive as the larger Wix web development environment.

As with the other all-in-one cart packages, Wix allows you to create your entire online store through the use of templates and a drag-and-drop editor. Once your site is complete and you’ve taken the time to upload all of your products, you’ll be able to showcase them in online galleries. And since Wix produces responsive websites, your galleries – and individual products – will be viewable from any device or browser that your customers may be using.

The online shopping car that accompanies Wix Stores is a robust tool. Several different payment gateways are usable and the checkout process is both simple and streamlined. Tax and shipping options can easily be edited under the settings tab so that you know customers are getting information that’s accurate and you are able to easily report any information to the government that you need to. And best of all? Everything is done securely so you don’t have to worry about your data being stolen or lost.

One of the other things that sets Wix apart from many of the top-tier e-commerce solutions is the fact that it’s incredibly affordable. The top package is only $25 per month and includes all of the features mentioned above, and more.

Verdict

If you’re looking for an easy and affordable way to build and run an online store, Wix is a great option to consider. It includes many of the features that you need at a price that won’t break the bank.

4. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is one of the biggest names in the e-commerce site developing community. They’ve been around since 2003. And in that time they’ve helped countless small and large businesses develop successful e-commerce sites. They are an all-in-one, feature-rich service that will give you the tools you need to develop a website and bring your online business live without any programming on your part.

If you sign up with BigCommerce, you’ll be given the option of choosing a template to get started. Seven templates are free to use; one-hundred and twenty others are available for purchase through their online store. Each template includes a number of different styles which ultimately give you hundreds of options on which to base your store. The main drawback on this front is the fact that BigCommerce does not give users much room to customize those stores. There is no drag-and-drop editor. So you’d better like the template you choose because you can’t include many changes.

Though BigCommerce doesn’t include many options for changing the look of your online store, it does include a number of other features. There’s a bulk product import/export option that will allow you to bring all of your products into your store at once via a .CSV file. SEO optimization can take place within BigCommerce itself and a blogging feature is even included. But really, these are only the tip of the iceberg. BigCommerce includes helpful analytics as well as marketing features that will help you make your store – and your products – more visible to potential customers.

And if all of those features aren’t enough, BigCommerce is priced in such a way that you can grow with it. The cheapest package is only $29.95 per month and can be used for stores with sales up to $50,000 per year. The higher your sales, the more you pay per month. Though it’s also worth noting that the higher packages also come with more advanced features. But even at the lowest level, BigCommerce will give your business everything it needs to get off the ground. And the best part? You can try it out for fifteen days at absolutely no charge!

Verdict

If you’re looking for a feature-rich, all-in-one package that won’t cost you hundreds of dollars per month, BigCommerce may be just what you’re looking for. If nothing else, give the fifteen day trial a whirl and see what you think.

3. Volusion

One of the oldest comprehensive e-commerce shopping cart solutions was started in 1999 by a web designer named Kevin Sproles. Since that time, Volusion has grown from a one-man operation to a business that employs over two hundred people. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that will make it easy to sell your products online, Volusion very well could be the answer that you’re looking for.

Like several other services on this list, Volusion allows you to move from concept to execution - and even beyond. When you sign up, you’ll be given the option of creating your webstore based on a number of templates that they provide. An online drag-and-drop editor is included with the service and allows you to customize your store to your business’s specifications. Once you’ve got the framework built, you can move on to adding products and optimizing SEO. Volusion includes integrations with both Paypal and Stripe. And when you’re ready to begin marketing, there are several onboard SEO and analytic applications that you can utilize.
The price of Volusion depends on which package you want to go with. The ‘Personal’ package is only $25 per month and includes everything you need to get started selling your products online. If you move up to the ‘Professional’ package, you’ll end up paying $75 per month for a handful of extra features, including priority telephone support and data on any abandoned carts your site encounters. For $135 per month, you can have access to the ‘Business’ package which includes everything the others do along with a lower transaction fee and a dedicated account manager.

Verdict

Over all, Volusion is a great option for those who are looking for an affordable all-in-one package that will allow them to build a site, populate it with products, and begin selling right away. Unfortunately, it’s not as feature-rich as many of the other options on this list.

2. Zoey Commerce

If you want a top-of-the-line cart, you may have to pay a top-of-the-line price. Zoey commerce is a great example of this fact. It includes just about every feature you could begin to imagine or want but it’s not cheap. If money is no object for your business, Zoey commerce may be the best option for your online business.

Like some of the other options on this list, Zoey Commerce is an all-in-one e-commerce package and not just an online shopping cart. Because of this, you’ll have to build your entire site through them if you’re going to use their cart. This is definitely something to keep in mind because it hinders your ability to shop around for different hosting, etc. But what you’re losing in freedom, you gain in convenience. Zoey Commerce includes a robust page builder that allows you to choose from dozens of themes, edit your site via an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, and control nearly every aspect of your page without dealing with HTML, CSS, or any other kind of coding.

Zoey Commerce includes a number of sought-after features that you will appreciate, including a number of different payment gateways, inventory and shipping controls, and numerous marketing/analytic options.

So, what’s the drawback with Zoey Commerce? Its price-tag. At $399 per month for the entry level ($899 per month for the ‘Advanced’ subscription), Zoey Commerce isn’t exactly cheap. If your business isn’t already established, you’re probably going to want to start with one of the more affordable options on this list.

Verdict

Zoey Commerce is a robust option but it’s one that is limited to businesses that are already established and have a decent stream of income. If you can afford it though, it may be exactly what you’re looking for.

1. GoshlyCart

If you’ve been searching for an affordable, feature-rich, comprehensive e-commerce solution, then look no further than GoshlyCart.

GoshlyCart is the built-in cart that comes with a subscription to Goshly.com. Not only will you be given the opportunity to create a professional looking website based on editable templates, you’ll also have a robust ECommerce shopping cart that won’t let you down when you need it the most. Goshly allows you to customize your store in great detail, making it look exactly how you want it to. You can include product descriptions, reviews, social media buttons, and lots of other features on each page so that your customers know exactly what they’re getting and they can easily share it with others.

In addition to a well-designed front-end, GoshlyCart includes an easy-to-navigate backend which allows you to keep track of sales and inventory, note high-traffic pages, add coupons or discount codes, and much more. The health of your entire e-commerce site is available for you to see. And if you’re a visual person, there are plenty of charts and graphs that will give you a greater understanding into how your business is faring.

On top of all this, many of the most popular cloud-based services (such as MailChimp and TaxJar) are easily integrated into your online store. And since Goshly creates responsive sites, you can be sure that your store will be viewable by customers no matter what device or browser they’re using to access it.

The primary drawback to GoshlyCart is that it requires a website that’s build through Goshly. So if you’re locked into another hosting service or you’re committed to a platform like Joomla or Wordpress then you won’t be able to take advantage of GoshlyCart or its many features. On the other hand, if you’re open to switching to a new platform, you can build your e-commerce website with Goshly for as low as $30 per month (for a standard subscription). This price will get you everything you need to have your e-commerce site up and running within a matter of hours.

Verdict

If you have the flexibility to choose your own e-commerce site builder, there’s no better option than Goshly and its proprietary cart software, GoshlyCart. And with a 14-day trial, giving it a whirl is a no-brainer.